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Previews: Barca too busy to worry about El Clasico

MADRID - Brief news from the Primera Liga ahead of the midweek matches:

Published

21 April 2009

Leaders Barcelona's trip to title rivals Real Madrid is only 10 days away but before then they have to play third-placed Sevilla, fourth-placed Valencia and Chelsea in a Champions League semi-final first leg.

"We aren't worried about it (the 'clasico') even though it is important. We have too much to do before then. All we have to worry about now is winning our next game against Sevilla," full back Daniel Alves said.

Pep Guardiola has a full squad to choose from for Wednesday's visit of Sevilla.

Sevilla's reserve goalkeeper Javi Varas is set to play his second league match with first-choice Andres Palop suspended, though the club have made a late appeal over his last yellow card.

"I'm relaxed about it because getting nervous wouldn't help," said Varas.

"Also I know I have nothing to lose. Andres has given me a lot of support and told me he won 3-1 with Villarreal on his debut in the Nou Camp."

Real Madrid, six points behind Barca in second position, are without injured Wesley Sneijder and Gabriel Heinze while Lassana Diarra is suspended for the visit of Getafe on Tuesday.

Getafe, who beat Real 1-0 at the Bernabeu last season, have only won three matches this year and are four points off the relegation places.

New Real Betis coach Jose Maria Nogues has led the side clear of the drop zone with two wins in two games.

Cameroon midfielder Achille Emana has scored four goals in those matches, making him the team's top scorer with 11.

On Wednesday Betis host another form team, Valencia, who have won four on the trot to climb into the Champions League qualification places.

Villarreal's Champions League exit to Arsenal and a poor run in the league have seen them go five matches without a win. On top of that they have lost influential midfielders Marcos Senna and Santi Cazorla to injury.

King's Cup finalists Athletic Bilbao, in 16th spot, visit bottom club Numancia on Tuesday with only six points separating the sides.

The Basque club, who face Barcelona in the King's Cup final on May 13 guaranteeing them a place in next season's Europa League, have never been relegated but are in trouble after a run of five defeats in six matches.

Second-bottom Espanyol hope to have playmaker Ivan de la Pena back as they look to build on a run of seven points from three matches at 17th-placed Sporting Gijon on Thursday. Sporting have lost four on the trot.

"The results are coming but no one knows what will happen," Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino told newspaper Sport. "The situation is difficult but the first step has been taken."

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